Preventing Diabetic Heart and Blood Vessel Complications-Topic Overview

Preventing Diabetic Heart and Blood Vessel Complications - Topic Overview

You can help prevent diabetic heart and blood vessel complications by eliminating or treating as many of your risk factors for atherosclerosis and high blood pressure (hypertension) as possible.

Risk factors for atherosclerosis

Smoking tobacco
Sedentary lifestyle
Obesity
High cholesterol (especially high levels of low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol)
Family history of heart disease
High blood pressure

Risk factors for hypertension

High-sodium diet
Obesity
Sedentary lifestyle
Smoking tobacco
Kidney problems
Excessive alcohol consumption (more than 2 drinks a day for men or 1 drink a day for women)

Diabetes and these risk factors

Diabetes contributes to the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) because it increases the buildup of plaque. The best way to prevent hardening of your arteries is to address all risk factors. Controlling your blood sugar levels as much as possible will also help prevent the acceleration of atherosclerosis.

High blood pressure increases your risk for stroke and atherosclerosis. You can lower blood pressure with lifestyle changes and medicine.

**Treatments to prevent heart and blood vessel complications from diabetes**
Lifestyle changes	Medications
Reduce salt intake. Lose weight. Get plenty of exercise. (Try to do moderate activity at least 2½ hours a week.) Limit alcohol. Reduce stress. Quit smoking. Increase potassium and calcium intake.	ACE inhibitors Beta-blockers Diuretics Angiotensin II receptor blockers Other vasodilators Centrally acting agents

Answer:

Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia).

If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.

People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.

However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.

Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

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